Congress sends stopgap transportation bill to White House
August 3rd, 2015
On Thursday, July 30, the U.S. Senate passed the House’s $8 billion transportation bill—a three-month extension. The extension, the 34th such measure since 2008, now moves on to President Obama for his signature to keep the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) financed until Oct. 29. The legislation averted a Friday shutdown of transportation projects nationwide. The […]
‘Subtitle C’ mixed waste embankment cover system
August 1st, 2015
Introduction This case history focuses on the construction of a crucial thin rock layer over geosynthetics and the solution encountered during the first construction phase of an RCRA Subtitle C embankment cover system at a hazardous and radioactive disposal site. The top and 5:1 sideslopes of the cover system were constructed with a cap consisting […]
New look website
August 1st, 2015
When we go on vacations, we go on no-electronics vacations. Sure, we have a phone for emergencies but it is turned off until needed. And no other devices or wireless access. That said, I recommend that—when you are plugged in—you spend more time checking out our revamped and enhanced magazine website. GeosyntheticsMagazine.com now has a […]
Part 1 Durability of geosynthetics: The basics
August 1st, 2015
By John H. Greenwood Author’s note This article is based on a training presentation delivered on Sept. 24, 2014, at the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Berlin, Germany. That talk was itself based on courses given at ERA Technology, Leatherhead, U.K., with Alan Friday, and later at SKZ in Würzburg, Germany, with the participation […]
Geosynthetics and Katrina: 10 years after
August 1st, 2015
August 29, 2005, was K-Day for New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina had been ginning up for days off the Bahamas and Gulf of Mexico. By the evening of the 28th, she had the Crescent City in her crosshairs. Early morning on the 29th, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States. When the storm […]
Reports from NTPEP, FAA, GMA membership
August 1st, 2015
Fall Lobby Day is Oct. 28-29 The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) had an active late spring and early summer. GMA participated in AASHTO’s NTPEP (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials/National Transportation Product Evaluation Program) conference in Houston, provided guidance to multiple state DOTs (state’s departments of transportation), met with officials from the FAA […]
Report on the June 2015 meeting of ASTM D35 Committee on Geosynthetics
August 1st, 2015
The ASTM D35 Committee on Geosynthetics had a successful series of meetings in Anaheim, Calif., June 17–19, 2015. The highlight at this biannual gathering was the presentation of the L. David Suits Award to Tony Allen of the Washington State Department of Transportation for his enormous contributions to the geosynthetics industry. His work in soil […]
Instrumented MSE wall reinforced with polyester straps
August 1st, 2015
Emerging technology Introduction Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls with large concrete panel facing, reinforced with polyester straps, is an emerging technology in the U.S. To enable the design of this wall system using AASHTO’s methodology, its classification of extensibility must be established. This empirical classification results in adequate internal stability. Internal design of MSE walls […]
New ballast system cited in landfill case studies
August 1st, 2015
Introduction Exposed geomembrane cover systems such as rain covers and temporary caps are used on landfills throughout the world. While there are numerous benefits associated with exposed membranes, there are also potential hazards associated with insufficient ballasting or anchoring of the cover materials. For years owners and engineers have used various methods for ballasting exposed […]
Retrospective of 25 GRI conferences
August 1st, 2015
The Geosynthetic Research Institute was founded in 1986 at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., with the purpose of conducting research and development on all types, functions, and applications of geosynthetics used in the constructed environment and its infrastructure. With R & D at the core of the activity it was natural that archival publications would […]